Culture ministry considering measures to ban conglomerates' screen monopoly

The government will work out measures to prevent further widening disparity between conglomerate-invested big-budget films and films from minor studios, officials said Friday.   Conglomerates such as CJ Group and Lotte Entertainment have come under fire for dominating screens using their own movie distribution and cinema chain units, marginalizing films from smaller companies or indie and art-house films.      The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism had a meeting with an advisory committee f

FilmJune 30, 2017

Probe requested into leak of Kim Soo-hyun's new film 'Real'

 The production company of the new Korean action thriller "Real" said Friday it has asked the police to investigate the leak of part of the film's scenes.   Cove Pictures said the previous day that part of the scenes featuring its lead actor Kim Soo-hyun and actress Choi Jin-ri were illegally filmed at a theater and leaked online, just one day after it was released in domestic theaters Wednesday.Actor Kim Soo-hyun plays a lead role in "Real." (Yonhap)   "We made a final decision to take legal me

FilmJune 30, 2017

‘Anarchist from Colony’ released with English subtitles in Songdo

“Anarchist from Colony,” the latest box office hit directed by Lee Joon-ik and starring Lee Je-hoon, is now screening with English subtitles in select theaters in Korea and will have limited screenings in the US.English subtitled screenings of the movie were released Friday at MegaBox’s Songdo location in Incheon. This photo provided by Megabox Plus M shows actor Lee Je-hoon (C) as Park Yeol in the new Korean historical film "Anarchist from Colony." (Yonhap)As “Anarchist from Colony” had a succe

FilmJune 30, 2017

Buttermilk Biscuit Co. brings Southern-style eats to Seoul

When Kwon Yong-ki and his brother brainstormed ideas for their new restaurant, the siblings remembered late nights spent chowing down on biscuits in Virginia.“There was a diner inside the grocery that stayed open till five in the morning,” Kwon, 41, recalled of their favorite college haunt when he and his brother were studying in Virginia. “They always had biscuits and gravy. That was our go-to.” The two, now living in Korea, realized how much they missed those biscuits and the idea for Buttermi

FoodJune 30, 2017

[Eye] Inferiority complex drives my art: Ci Kim

CHEONAN, South Chungcheong Province -- The gritty music of Deulgukhwa, an iconic ‘80s Korean rock band, fills the air at Ci Kim’s fifth floor studio in Arario Gallery Cheonan on a recent Monday where I find the artist spraying water on a piece of old carpeting.I am deeply apologetic for being very late for our interview -- there was construction work on the highway on the way to Cheonan -- but Kim beams a big smile. “You actually gave me time to finish what I thought I didn’t have time for,” he

CultureJune 30, 2017

Halo unveils teaser video, thanks fans

Boyband Halo released a teaser video for a song from its soon-to-be-released EP “Here I Am.”The 30-second clip, cut out from a music video, was released via official channel of the six-member band. The video offered a glimpse of the melody and the choreography for the new song.(HNS HQ)Prior to the video‘s release, Halo on Wednesday communicated with its fans via live broadcast on Naver V application. The members entertained the fans through games while thanking them for always being there for th

PerformanceJune 30, 2017

Zico to release EP next month

Rapper Zico of boyband Block B will release a new EP next month, officials said Friday.His agency Seven Seasons Entertainment told local media that the album will be unveiled mid-July, and the rapper is currently putting the finishing touches on it.Zico (Yonhap)It marks the first time in about 19 months that the artist will be releasing an EP. He has released a single earlier in the year. Zico is not only a rapper and leader of Block B, but is also known as a songwriter and a producer. He is cur

PerformanceJune 30, 2017

[Travel Bits] Sights, festivals around Korea

Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju“Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju,” a program selected by the Cultural Heritage Administration in a competition offers visitors the chance to walk through hundreds of hanok in the Jeonju Hanok Village under the moonlight.Programs include a moonlight photography competition, traditional music night, Jeonju traditional opera, shadow orchestra and night views of Jeonju.The event is held until Sept.13. For more information, visit www.jeonju-night.kr for information in Korea

TravelJune 30, 2017

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Real(Korea)Opened June 28Science fiction, thriller. Directed by Lee Sa-rangJang Tae-young (Kim Soo-hyun) is a ruthless casino owner and gangster boss with a ferocious temper, who suffers from a dual personality disorder. He seeks the services of a psychoanalyst (Lee Sung-min), who hypnotizes Jang and delves into his deep subconscious to “murder” the second self. In a whirlwind of neon lights, debauchery-filled drug hazes, gang wars and a mysterious doppelganger who keeps chasing him, Jang comes

FilmJune 30, 2017

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Summer package at Westin Chosun Seoul The Westin Chosun Seoul offers the Urban Oasis accommodation package until Aug. 31. The package features accommodation in the deluxe, executive and junior suites, with prices ranging from 230,000 won to 520,000 won. The executive room package offers access to the executive lounge on the 20th floor for breakfast, snacks and cocktails, as well as the sauna. The junior suite package offers breakfast at the executive lounge or Aria Buffet Restaurant. Various cos

FoodJune 30, 2017

[Home Cooking] Tonkatsu (Fried pork cutlet)

Tonkatsu is a panko breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet. Like the curry rice I posted last time, tonkatsu (called donkkaseu in Korea) is another dish that made its way into Korea by way of Japan and became widely popular. The Japanese adapted their version from the West. Pork loin chops are the best cut for tonkatsu. In the markets, you can find pork cutlets that are specifically prepared for tonkatsu with slits all over on the meat. The slits help tenderize the meat and keep it nice and flat when f

FoodJune 30, 2017

Son Hyun-joo named Best Actor at 2017 Moscow International Film Festival

Son Hyun-joo took home the top prize for his role as a homicide detective on “Ordinary Person” at the 2017 Moscow International Film Festival on Thursday evening. Son is the third Korean actor to win the award at the film festival following Kang Soo-yeon (“Come Come Come Upward”) in 1989 and Lee Deok-hwa (“I Will Survive”) in 1993. Son Hyun-joo (Keyeast)Son, who could not attend the ceremony due to his filming for tvN’s upcoming drama “Criminal Minds” -- the Korean adaptation of popular American

FilmJune 30, 2017

Twice uses Tokyo Tower to promote Japanese album

South Korean idol group Twice launched a promotion campaign for its debut record in Japan making use of the landmark Tokyo Tower, according to its agency Friday.On Thursday, "TT," the title of one of TWICE's hit songs, was displayed in bright pink lighting on the Japanese tourist destination, JYP Entertainment said. It was put on display for five hours from 7 p.m.Tokyo Tower was scheduled to carry out the lighting on Friday evening as well.(JYP Entertainment)"The title "TT" coincides with the in

PerformanceJune 30, 2017

Red Velvet to return with ‘Red Summer’

Summer songs are bountiful in the K-pop scene this year, but Red Velvet hopes to make its presence with the release of its EP “The Red Summer.” The five-song album will be released July 9 online, and will show off the group’s vivacious charm and energy, according to the S.M. Entertainment. The physical copies will hit the market the next day.The teaser image of Red Velvet (S.M. Entertainment)On Friday, the agency unveiled the teaser image for the new EP with member Irene making an appearance. Th

PerformanceJune 30, 2017

‘Show Me The Money 6’ to shine light on ‘brighter’ side of hip-hop

Despite the huge popularity of the audition program “Show Me The Money,” there has been criticism from the hip-hop scene that it focuses only on few elements of the genre like rap battles and the culture of “dissing.”For season six of the show, the nation’s most established hip-hop musicians gathered to ensure that various aspects of hip-hop music and its culture are explored.From left: Dok2, Jay Park, Bizzy, Gaeko and Choiza of Dynamic Duo, Dean and Tiger JK pose for a photo prior to a press co

PerformanceJune 30, 2017

Guitar legend Richie Kotzen to perform in Korea

US musician Richie Kotzen will visit Korea to perform in Seoul in August, local promoters said Friday. According to AIM, the artist will hold a concert at 7:00 p.m., Aug. 19 at MUV Hall in Mapo-gu, western Seoul. It is part of Kotzen’s ongoing global tour that will cover 22 countries including Japan, Britain, Germany and Spain. The tour was to commemorate the release of his recent album “Salting Earth.” (AIM)Since recording his first solo album “Richie Kotzen” in 1989, the guitarist has had a pr

PerformanceJune 30, 2017

'2017 Gracias Concert' to be held in Haeundae, Busan

A concert of various genres, ranging from classical music, opera and musicals, will be hosted at Haeundae beach in Busan this weekendThe ’2017 World Culture Camp Opening Ceremony and Gracias Concert‘ will take place at a special stage set on Korea’s southern coastal beach on Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 p.m.This concert, hosted by the International Youth Fellowship and Kookje Daily News and supported by Busan Metropolitan City, will carry out performances free of charge over the two days.(IYF)It

CultureJune 30, 2017

'Okja' ranks fourth on opening day despite theaters' boycott

Director Bong Joon-ho's "Okja" came in fourth at the South Korean box office on its opening day, despite major cinema chains' boycott of the Netflix-financed film, data showed Friday.The movie attracted 23,106 cinemagoers on Thursday, ranking behind Korean films "Anarchist from Colony" and "Real," and the Hollywood action blockbuster "Transformers: The Last Knight," according to the Korean Film Council. (Yonhap)"Anarchist" was seen by 141,279. "Real" and "Transformers" chalked up 57,739 and 46,5

FilmJune 30, 2017

Clon vows to stay duo forever with 20th anniversary album ‘We Are’

More than anything, it was “friendship” that has kept together the legendary dance music duo Clon through decades of ups and downs. With a bond that goes back 30 years, Koo Jun-yup and Kang Won-rae weathered Kang’s motorcycle accident and the group’s subsequent disbandment. Most recently, they were able to reunite for the duo’s newly released 20th-anniversary album. From left, Koo Jun-yup and Kang Won-rae of duo Clone pose at a press conference for its 20th anniversary album “We Are” that was re

PerformanceJune 29, 2017

Kim Go-eun considers role in director Lee Joon-ik’s new film

Actress Kim Go-eun recently received an offer to play the female lead role in director Lee Joon-ik’s new film. Kim’s agency HODU&U said Thursday, “Kim Go-eun is looking favorably on the offer, but nothing has been confirmed yet.”The new film tells the story of a rapper who returns home to take care of his father who is ill. (Herald DB)Actor Park Jung-min has confirmed his role as the rapper. Kim was offered the role of Park’s first love. The actress debuted with the award-winning 2012 film “A Mu

FilmJune 29, 2017